The Seedy Cafe

The golden warmth of the sun warms the pair of Mourning Doves as they sit on their perch in the Seedy Cafe.  Life is good. (at least for the moment) Just as it can happen in our lives, circumstances can change suddenly if "Cooper" (a coopers hawk that also frequents the cafe) decides to make a swooping visit.  For the moment though it appears that they are enjoying each others company, as well as the other visitors to the cafe. The doves tranquility are a reminder that I must try to live in the moment and not in fear of what could be.  That is easier said than done for us humans who hear news constantly of all that is not right in the world.

Watching the squirrels play, or a hummingbird sipping nectar helps me to focus on what is instead of what might be.

After all this moment, this precious moment is all that we have any say-so on how we want it to be.

*zooming prayers to all affected either directly or indirectly to Boston, Massachusets as well as West, Texas.  May golden light surround and comfort you.

My Platform

I don't know...looks kind of scary.

Ummm.
I guess I need to have one (a platform) according to a publisher that I would like to query.
Which possibly would not pose a problem IF I wasn't so frightened of platforms.  My trusted Chamber Dictionary says that it is a noun that indicates a raised level surface. (I did know that)
Which means one could actually fall off of it. (again something I am very aware of)
And THAT's what I am supposed to be developing?
It has stopped my querying process in it's tracks.  In The Productive Writer by Sage Cohen she devotes a whole chapter to the subject.  She highly recommends the process (of developing said platform) to help navigate the waters of writing and getting published.
I should of paid better attention to the chapter.
I have two (IMHO) very cool picture books that need to be set free from the confines of my computer and because of this platform issue I am clinging to the edge of the diving board afraid to do what's necessary to just jump in!
(I can totally visualize the diving board metaphor as I once spent an hour and a half at the end of a diving board, unable to go backward or forward)

I need to get a better image of what a platform is in my head.  Maybe it does not need to be the skinny, easy to fall of type of platform.  Perhaps I can create a platform solid and sturdy enough to be able to support me through all the ups and downs of the writer's life.
Yeah...that could work.
Maybe I can make it large enough to dance on and twirl hula hoops on and play my kazoo on!
I will start this "platform process" by reviewing (perhaps reading this time around) Chapter Two in The Productive Writer and take Sage's advice to invest in a copy of Get Known Before the Book Deal: Use Your Personal Strengths to Grow an Author Platform by Christina Katz.
If I get right on it, it should not be too long before I am ready to present my song and dance!

p.s. would LOVE/appreciate/extremely like any "Platform" developing wisdom if you have it to share!

Moon River

"Moon River"

   Moon river, wider than a mile

I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me

Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after that same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me

http://youtu.be/9J1OcKd_Dqw
(Audrey Hepburn version)

Sometimes a song touches your soul in such a way that it never completely exits your being and becomes a permanent part of yourSELF.
This is such a song.
I must of been eight or nine years old the first time I heard Moon River.  My parents were huge Henry Mancini aficionados, so his music was often played on our record player (that's right it was back in the days of the 33 RPM's).  I actually enjoyed many of the motion picture scores that he wrote, however Moon River stood out from all the other songs filling me with a wistful longing. 
At the time I did not know nor understand what I was longing for.
Many years have passed since then and I am still not sure that I know what I am seeking.
The one thing that I at least hang onto when life seems too dark is that deep inside I know that there is a "rainbow's end, waiting round the bend."

http://youtu.be/5xGpam9_NpI
(Henry Mancini version)

CoffeeTime!!!!

I remember when it all started for me.  My parents would purchase a 3 lb can of MJB Coffee and I would literally beg to be allowed to open the can.
Since I was in first grade at the time, learning to operate the electric can opener AND holding the awkwardly large 3 lb can was kind of tough to be sure...however when there is a will there is a way and I overcame all obstacles in the opening operation.
 As soon as the compressed air would escape...the most amazingly wonderful smell in the world would drift out of the can in one quick poof.
I was hooked.
Little did my parents realize that they had unknowingly set me up with a life long addiction to the bean.
Not only did I relish the smell of the 1,200 chemical components that escaped into the air when I opened the can of coffee, I also acquired a taste for the dark beverage in my glass of milk.
That's correct my glass of milk. Doctored up with the sweet nectar of the bean.
I might have been one of the few first graders skipping rope or playing hop scotch all caffeined up at six years old!  That might of been a contributing factor as to why I was so fast at those activities.
My love of the beverage has not diminished over time either.

8 ounces of bliss

If munchkin # 3 is asked where his favorite place to go with Gampa and Nana is...he answers, without a moments hesitation, "Barista".  It makes my heart smile knowing that I am on the right path to the proper mentoring of said grandchild.  He enjoys a "steamer" (warm, frothy milk with either honey or a bit of vanilla) while we savor our espressos.  

Enjoying a cuppa in Florence!!!

I could go on (and on and on) to share many more "coffee moments"  but suffice to say it is an integral part of my life.  I might not recall my first kiss but I surely do remember my first mocha!
It was in Anchorage, Alaska.
I was alone.
It was in a coffeehouse with people reading newspapers and just hanging out.
And it was LOVE AT FIRST SIP.
Seriously.
If you have ever tried the cans of "flavored"coffees (the ones with the fancy/descriptive/hoity toity names) they are not in the same league.
NOT EVEN CLOSE.
All of this musing about coffee and cocoa is calling me away from the computer reminding me that it is time for a break for coffee!
Do you have any special coffee "rituals" that make your day?

"A Girl of the Limberlost"

A recent conversation with my mom revealed that she still had a copy of the FIRST novel she ever read.
It is titled "A Girl of the Limberlost".
My mom is a voracious reader and I have her to thank for my own love of literature.  She says that the actual story (A Girl of the Limberlost) was not quite as memorable as the fact that she kept and remembered her first full novel read.
That got me to thinking if I could remember my first "big read".
I could not! 
I have a few copies from the series "The Happy Hollisters" by Jerry West. The Happy Hollisters were a mystery solving/very happy family. I soooo wanted to be a part of that family!  Adventure and mystery solving followed the Hollisters (or at least the kids in the family) everywhere they went!  How cool is that?  AND they all treated each other like they were truly an important part of each others lives.
I think it was one of my earliest attempts to "escape" my not so ideal childhood.
I also have my copy of Heidi by Johanna Spyri, that I received as a gift when I was nine.  I am not sure how many times I read that story...and cried/got mad/and happy at all the twists and turns Heidi's life took.  I dreamed of eating goat cheese and gnawing on a crusty piece of warm bread for my dinner.  The straw bed that she slept on even sounded inviting to me (because her grandfather took extra care to make sure it was soft and billowy).  And I believed in "happy endings".
I also LOVED horse stories, and any story that had animals in it. 
Everyone reads for different reasons with mine being mostly to "escape" into the magic of the story.  That would explain why I shy away from anything too gruesome or scary. 
And I also guess it doesn't really matter if I remember that FIRST big read...I'm just thankful that whoever the author was, he or she inspired me to be a life long visitor to the library (and to Powell's City of Books here in Portland!)
Do you remember what was the first read that got you "hooked"?

Public Pools...uck

I have ALL these health reasons to implement more exercise into my daily routine.  A need to lose weight, widespread joint pain, degenerative arthritis in my feet, MENTAL "stuff", a bit of diabetes, oh and the latest to join the bandwagon, HIGH CHOLESTEROL (that one sort of jumped in and moved to the front of the line).
I have a rowing machine, walk the dog and have fun with our JUST DANCE workouts.  None of these have been enough to have made much of a difference in my overall health and achievement of my fitness goals.
So, I have added twice a week swimming to my fitness smorgasbord.  Which is kind of tough since I really do not care for swimming and/or public pools. At All.  Some of the reasons for my dislike are:
Men in speedos.
Water being splashed in my eyes.
The fact that the pool we, (my daughter is accompanying me for moral support) go to is NOT heated.
Locker rooms.
Waking up at 4:30 a.m. to go to lap swim.
The smell of chlorine.
The feel of chlorine on my body and in my hair.
Wondering if anyone has chosen to not get OUT of the pool to go to the bathroom.
I DO like the hot tub with all of the jets...(except when a group of men in speedos are in it)
You get the idea.
But swim I will since the alternative of NOT working out is having a counter full of pills to take in hopes that some of them will help the symptoms and not cause irreparable damage with side effects.
It seems hard for me to believe that I actually participated in a (half?) of a triathlon when I was a mere child of 36. 
(I did not care for swimming back then either) however I DO recall the feeling I had when my body was pushed to perform and it did so without too much grumbling! 
We'll see how this goes.  I just want to feel that I can make it through a day on my own steam and WITHOUT the use of extra pain medication.  That (the pain meds) have been a bit more of a challenge to cut back on then I thought they would be! 
As of today's post I swam 12 "laps".  I will update in a month to see how much I have improved and by doing so hold myself accountable to not quit.  :)

Early Spring~Worse Than a Woman PMS'ing

Seedy Cafe Spring? 2013

That's right.
Early Spring weather is like that.  I don't think of myself as a traitor (to my fellow females)...I think of myself as more of a realist.
EARLY SPRING WEATHER can be wonderful and it can be quite crappy.  And it can change in the matter of moments.
The sun breaks through, the crocus bloom and then it rains.  Or hails. Or snows.
Just like that.
To my way of thinking I would prefer to not get my hopes up and continue my hibernation until the weather truly decides to play nice.  For example the other day I was pleasantly surprised (and to be honest a bit dismayed as well) to see a forecast of sunny high of 60 degree weather.  Mind you, the forecast did not commit itself to how long it would stay like that.  It appeared to be long enough to challenge myself to venture outside and do a bit of pruning, weeding and raking.  I was hoping to be able to put it all off until at least mid March, but what the heck, the sun was beckoning (or shaming?) me to go outside.
I do not know if I was more disheartened or relieved when the sunny day turned cloudy and COLD before I could even fill up my compose barrel. 
It's working outside on days such as those that one does not know if they need gardening gloves or mittens, a sweatshirt or a parka.
And so it goes.
I now totally understand why everyone loves Punxsutawney Phil so much. (he is "The Groundhog", or at least one of the few weather-predicting ones that inhabit the United States and Canada) who help us humans with the is it Spring or is it Winter conundrum.

This YouTube Video is a great visual aid to enlighten those of you how these furry guys do what they do.         http://bit.ly/VvhBjh  

Since this whole is it time to go outside or not has really got me in a bit of a state I think I will have to deal with it as I often do when I am PMS-ing.
Eat chocolate instead. 

Airports

Airports.
I have always been fascinated with airports. It never ceases to amaze me how a person can be in one place...and then ZOOM in another place. The only thing cooler than traveling via airplane would be traveling via the TARDIS! (for you non-Whovians out there the TARDIS is the time traveling "box" that The Doctor uses to... yeah you got it~time travel!)

Alas, I am NOT here at the airport to travel this time. I am merely the chauffeur. Dropping off/waiting/then picking up. I volunteered since I actually love to people watch, especially at airports. The stories that each traveler (or chauffeur) carries within themselves is fascinating (or at least I imagine it to be so). I am currently reading a YA series by Shane Peacock on the boy version of "Sherlock Holmes". Needless to say my musings run wildly rampant as I ponder the stories of the people that I watch. Oh and when I am not musing about other people's adventures I am visualizing a future travel adventure for Nate & I. I keep my toiletry bag ready and filled (that word "toiletry" just doesn't sound right however I will use it anyway) just in case an adventure calls to me on short notice!

I believe that travel is one of the best ways to learn about our world and experience the diversity, and also the sameness of it's inhabitants. Ask Rick Steves and he will concur I am sure. (by the way he is our hero, living "La Dolce Vida" with his work!) Even when traveling within these United States a traveler will find a diversity and a bond that unites us all. **An important thing to remember when we gather together to cheer on our favorite team or support/talk about our political views. We ARE all very diverse and yet all very similar.

Looks like the musing session is over. Time to greet the traveler who was just 2 hours earlier thousands of miles away saying farewell to a beautiful desert winter rain. It's also raining here in the Northwest.
Different yet similar.
Airports.

A Wagon

"Growing Up in Kodiak" 

   

wagon
/ˈwagən/

Noun A vehicle used for transporting goods or another specified purpose. A four-wheeled trailer for agricultural use, or a small version of this for use as a child's toy

O.K. now that we have the official definition out of the way, let's look at what a wagon REALLY is.  For the purpose of this muse I am going to address the second part of the second definition. "small version of this for use as a child's toy" Salty Seamen in a Seiner And what a magical toy it can be!   A sturdy wagon, besides being a useful way to cart around one's possessions can become ANYTHING that the owner of the wagon wants it to become!  A fishing boat (seiner to be exact) A hover craft A bed for flowers to bloom in or even A DRAGON! Picnic Table I enjoy fond recollections of the many guises that my daughters wagon took over the years that we used it.  The wagon (that was used to become all of the things listed above) was a gift to the girls way back when from their Grandparents. It was the wooden version of the Radio Flyer with slats that actually could come off, instantly transforming the wagon into a park bench or a picnic table. It was these memories that inspired me to share the gift of a similar wagon(s) to each of my grandsons. May the magic continue!

Once a Year Yuletide Yodel 2012

Christmas Coffee

"Christmas~that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance~a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved." ~Augusta E. Roundel~

As I sit at my perch near the seedy cafe watching the baby squirrels and birds as they gather seeds during this first rain of Autumn, this pre course to winter, I wonder what THEY will be wishing for this Christmas.  Perhaps it will be very similar to what is on everyones wish list...

Our Noble Fir

Plenty to eat
A warm place to sleep
To spend the day flying or scurrying about
To not be squished by a car, or eaten by a bird of prey...
You know, just the basics to participate in yet another day.
And sometimes they get lucky and have a bit of help doing what they need to do to get through the winter. Like kind folks who put out birdhouses or maintain feeders and fresh water.
I started this newsletter (back in early Fall) and before the horrible tragedy at the elementary school in Connecticut.
If anything the point that I was illustrating is that we DO need each other. Reaching out and doing what we can to help one another.  It is something we are reminded of during the Christmas season, and especially when tragedy strikes we are reminded of it even more so. Loving and caring for each other, in my humble opinion, is what is needed if we are going to gain any sort of understanding of our journeys.
That being said, here is quick "year end wrap up".
The Mikolajczaks, (Ronnah, Mark, Shiloh 12, Isabelle 9 and Cameron 2.5) are living in Forest Ranch, California.  (it's very near Chico, just a tad more rural)  They have chickens and lots of breathing room!  The Podd's, (Kyle, Jessi and Carter 3.5) are here in Portland, keeping busy with work AND Carter! Nate and I are still living here in Lake Oswego, however starting to feel restless with being in the same place for so long...

PPP Postcard!

We have three apps in the Apple Store, the latest one is a fun way to share photos, (it's called Picture Perfect Postcards if you want to check it out!)
May the season bless you and yours, bringing you peace and abundance in the days to follow.

With Metta,
Laura, Nate, Kona and Zoey the kat

A few thoughts on lights, tinsel, and holly-day music...

I hope they all work!!!

I admit it.
If there was a "Christmasaholalics" (am TOTALLY sure that is not a word) I should be one of the first to attend.  Heck, I most likely could write what it takes to become a member of "Christmasaholalics"!
And I would attend each and every meeting as long as they played holly-day music and handed out candy canes.
Noooooo!! That would NOT/could NOT be permitted would it?  See what I mean? I am beyond help! I guess you could just ship me, with no return address up to the North Pole....

So let's talk about this season and myself.  It is a conflicting one (in my head) to be sure, because (in my head) even though I surround/allow myself to en-JOY all the things that ARE Christmas I also battle some severe depression throughout this jolly holly holiday.  If you have ever seen the movie "Prancer" I AM that little girl who BELIEVES that Prancer is REAL, and that plays her Christmas record up in her room all by herself, (starting in October) and sings "loud and clear for all to hear" carols (with much feeling and very off key).
That is/was me.
I have also taken down (ripped is more like it) paper-chains and snowflakes that took me HOURS AND HOURS to put up...right before Santa's visit.
That is also me.  Go figure.
I bake, (dee-licious baking if I say so myself), make homemade fudge (with a recipe "borrowed" from See's Candies), and then feel guilty about the sugar, the costs, the calories, etc etc.  It's a no win situation (in my head) and each year I attempt to roll through this season of joy (which I truly do love or at least I think I do) without any snowflake meltdowns.
I did not get the love of the music or season from my parents.  And to this day I am not sure why it evokes such strong feelings (good and bad) within my soul.  I guess it is a divine gift (or curse) and most likely if you ask the people who have been around me over the holidays they will call it more of a curse.  Like everything else in my life I tend to "notch it up to eleven" on a one to ten scale.  You might be thinking oh she couldn't be that bad...to that I might reply to ask (especially my eldest daughter) what her thoughts are of a mom who organized a Christmas Kazooing Band to march around town, wearing matching sweatshirts that said "Magical Music~Kazoo Music" inviting patrons of a local pub to join in with the singing and kazooing. She was I think twelve going on thirteen...
Oh, and I was wearing my way cool Santa with his reindeer riding on motorcycles boxer shorts to complete my "look".
Yup.
I scarred her for life.
She won't even play Christmas music.
*SIGH*
I am somewhat like Charlie Brown who states: "Actually, Lucy, my trouble is Christmas. I just don't understand it. Instead of feeling happy, I feel sort of let down."
So year after year I research into the whys and wherefores of the season, in an attempt to get a grasp as to why we all do what we do during this season.
Like decorating trees.
Or hanging misteltoe.
Or outside lights.
Or Christmas stockings.
Or what about garland?....
the LIST is endless, AND very deep rooted from what I have read being much deeper than just what we may have experienced (or not) during our childhood.
In the midst of all of this pondering, I DO.  Because when I DON'T it feels much worse than if I DIDN'T.
It's time to string some popcorn and cranberries.

 

Picture Perfect Postcards!!

We've "hatched" another app!  Picture Perfect Postcards made its debut in the Apple App Store on Saturday November 24th!   This one promises to be FUN, CREATIVE and USEFUL when sharing your favorite pictures and special salutations! And it's only $0.99!  You can send your personalized picture greetings to Facebook, Twitter, Flicker or an Email account.
But Wait!! There's more!
What's even cooler about the app is that it has the ability to send a "hold in the recipients hand" copy of your postcard!  That's right you can actually choose one of the options that allow you to MAIL (the old fashioned way) your postcard!  It's an additional cost of $1.99 (domestic) or $2.99 (international) fee per card.
Nate designed the app to be easy-beezy to use as I personally am not too savvy at figuring out computer doodlidoos and prefer to just select and send! 
Here is the link to the app:
http://smarturl.it/picture-postcards

                                                

THANK YOU for your support!!

*my apologies for sounding like an inter-com ad in a store!  :)
However we are sort of excited about our newest "baby"!
 (plus Nate promised to work on doing an animated picture book of William G. Quail after this app was completed!!)

Halloween and all that Jazz.....

See what I mean?

I'm not sure where I am going with this blog entry. Since we just wrapped up Halloween 2012 it seems to be a logical subject to Muse about.
I am fascinated with holidays and the sometimes way cool, often times very commercialized American ways that they are interpreted. I usually check out Wikipedia to get an overview of a holiday:
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
and then proceed on to embrace the craziness that envelops it.

For example, my girlfriend Sally felt like be-heading herself after deciding to tackle hand made costumes for her lovely family centering around the character of Alice in Wonderland.  (she was the Queen of Hearts)
Good times... NOT.

Cool Cats

This year in keeping with the festivities, but not wanting to go crazy with too much work or expense, but also wanting to be way cool, I talked my partner in crime Nate to go Bohemian and be a Beatnik with me!  Now this required a tad bit of research on my part, which luckily is easily accomplished when one Google searches.
Check out this old Bullwinkle (from the Rocky and Bullwinkle Cartoon Show) as he shares his expertise on what it takes to be a Beatnik.
 http://youtu.be/YWjRgzFeE_8
Lucky for us we had most of what it takes to be a Beatnik down to a science with our Portland, Oregon lifestyle.
Especially the hanging out in coffee shops.
I even purchased a Bongo Drum to recite poetry to a rhythmic bongo beat.  Good thing us cool cats don't care if our audience likes our presentation (or even if we have an audience)!  The Bongo is now upstairs in the music maker box, waiting for one of the grand-munchkins to beat on it to their little Beatnik hearts content.
I hope everyone en-JOY-ed a safe Halloween.  Our evening stayed dry (for the most part) for the neighborhood little trick or treaters and it added to my most thankful heart that the NW has been blessed so far with mild weather.





 **In the wake of Hurricane Sandy and with the upcoming colder/wetter/wilder weather, I urge all to share their blessings in any way they are able to with whomever you can.  Sharing your candlebright blessings (whatever they may be) is a sure way to light up someone else's life.

Magical Manzanita Moments

Hello!

 Finally!  Friday had arrived which is the gateway day to...THE WEEKEND!  I had dreamed about a trip to the coast to be spent with Nate and SANS furry family for quite some time.  I think I heard from someone somewhere that all great writers get inspiration from the dynamics of being in close proximity to the ocean? Okay, so maybe I am not a great writer, however I was willing to be close enough to the surf and sand to test out that theory even if it was just a myth.

Manzanita, Oregon  is a small...like no traffic lights at all small, coast town.  It has one or two espresso places so that made it big enough for my tastes.
We booked two nights at the Inn at Manzanita with one of the nights thoughtfully given as a combo birthday/mothers day/thanks for b-sitting gift.
Our room was called the Starseeker and had the coolest little unicorn door knocker on it.  It also had all sorts of treasures in the room for aficionados, such as ourselves, of the Heavens, including a way cool sky-night-view-light above the sleeping alcove.
We arrived around 4:30 p.m. with just enough time to unload our, for lack of a better word, "stuff" and then head down to the beach to say "Hello".

Good Night!

When I lived in Seaside, Oregon several years back, I was lucky enough to be able to live a lifestyle that allowed me to stop whatever I was doing each evening to find my way down to the beach to say "Good Night" and rate the sunset.  (they were all on a scale of 1-10 at least 8's in my book!)
Naturally it seemed logical to say a proper Hello and then Good Night to the ocean before setting out to find a (hopefully Paleo diet friendly) place to eat.

One of our stops on our way out of town and towards our beach location was to the library to pick up a book I had been waiting for that was on hold.  It was the sixth (and final) of a YA series (the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel) by Michael Scott titled The Enchantress. Between beach combing, eating, meeting up with good friends and having coffee PLUS reading, my weekend could not of been any better!

Wanda's Cafe (and YES that IS a magical lamp!)

There really is alot to be said to having a mini escape.  And it doesn't even have to be a whole weekend at the beach.  Finding an inviting spot in your own community or home to enjoy a latte,  watch a sunset or witness squirrels as they gather nesting material (and peanuts) for winter can be enough to turn around a mood.  It all boils down to being able to focus on the moment and treasure it instead of allowing your thoughts to go backward or forward.

I feel much gratitude to have just spent a whole weekend overflowing with magical moments.

IT Has Arrived.

IT being the first rain of the Autumn season!  This simple act of nature marks the official reminder that it will not be too long before I will actually miss my daily battles with the hose.
So, today I am re-joicing!  Welcoming the changing of the season with an open heart and thoughts of all the time I will spend INSIDE next to this keyboard looking OUT at the Seedy Cafe instead of actually mucking around with the weeding, the mowing, and all that STUFF.
Hey, I just had to water the day before yesterday so this is a whole new ballgame.  Receiving a little bit of help with the chores from Mother Nature rocks in my book.  Especially since it just happens. I have to be one of the worlds worst "ask for any kind of help" type of person.  

Ask me how I will feel about the rain in ten days, (it's looking like daily precipitation for at least that), or after I have wiped the muddy paw prints off of the floor from Kona our dog for the kazillioned time or worse, not catching her early enough thusly allowing her to shake the mud-rain all over the white kitchen cabinets.

Today is Today and I REFUSE to go there in thought.  I am choosing instead to celebrate the changing of the season and all that that means!
Like...hanging up ghosts on my front door.
Or visiting a pumpkin patch.
Sipping hot spiced apple cider (with whip cream on top)
Watching leaves as they scuttle across the road riding a wild burst of wind.
Enjoying the Spiced Chestnut scent of a candle burning.
And.
Adopting a non-procrastinating approach to my writing.

My excuses for being "too busy" run mighty thin as the changing of the seasons requires less presence from me outside.  There is only so many chores a person can come up with when the trees and the plants all go into hibernation mode.   
I also have that "how do I want to wind up the year" mentality running through my brain.
So, today I am re-joicing!
I will gratefully approach this season of Thanks-Giving by lighting my delightfully scented candles, turning on the furnace if need be and allowing myself the time to creatively dance with the written word.

SIX Months

So. I finally started poking around my blog site to check things out...and the realization that it had been SIX MONTHS since I had posted anything took be quite aback.  Oops~hang on~I need to verify if aback is actually a real word and not just a "Laura word". 
It is! (by the way I just LOVE my Chambers Dictionary...The Authority on English Today).  
aback /adv backwards: said of sails pressed backward against a mast by the wind (naut) OR taken aback is to be "taken by surprise"  (that would be me)
So what I have I been up to these past few? months....mmmm
NOT WRITING.
I have managed to get a job/lose that job/get another job/and start back up with a seasonal job. 
Oh and add in some serious depression on top of all that. 
It is getting better though.  I am actually sitting at a keyboard and attempting to assemble my rambling thoughts into coherent sentences!  AND I have dug out my rough draft of Meet the Mirlitons (my Middle Grade Chapter Book) and plan on re-writing it chapter by chapter.
I have TWO ready to submit picture books that are not going anywhere unless I start the querying process again.  PLUS numerous way cool/way fun picture book ideas that I had started way back when...
I also have another blog, that has only gotten as far as a title that I would love to get started on.
It is not lack of ideas, or how to go about doing them that stops me in my tracks.
It's just me.
All by myself.  With so much negative chatter going on in my head, creativeness just doesn't stand much of a chance to bloom.
Chores.  Now THOSE I can do.  Or favors for others.  But writing..well that's another story.  :)
Putting myself and what is important to me is usually the last thing (if ever) that receives my attention.
So here I go.  I truly do not want this year to end with no work submitted and The Mirlitons being totally ignored. 
FOUR MONTHS is what I have left of 2012.
I guess I better get busy.  :)

Nourishing Neighbors

 NN table at the Hillsdale Farmers Market

Nourishing Neighbors.
That's what we call ourselves.

logo (that Nate designed!)

It's actually quite remarkable when I reflect back that our small (yet very dedicated) group has been together THREE YEARS helping out a local Emergency Food Box Program!  We started out participating in a food canvass for the EFBP to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Day.
That was back in January 2009.      
Since that time, our little (there are only five of us!) group has maintained a year round presence at a local Farmers Market collecting monetary as well as food donations. Every $1 collected purchases FIVE pounds of food for the EFBP at the Neighborhood House.
After that first food canvas it was difficult to see the need and not continue to help in some fashion.  When we were offered table space at the market, we knew what we wanted to do.  Since that time we have put together several other canvasses, and maintain a collection barrel at a Food Cooperative Grocery Store, however I think it's our consistent presence at the market that renders the most success.
Last year we collected almost $3000! That's 15 thousand pounds of food!
In the year 2006-07 the Neighborhood House distributed 3008 Emergency Food Boxes.  That number soared to 8112 for the year 2010-11.

More than double.     
Times may be difficult for many of us however I have to admit that it does my heart good to be able to make an impact with fighting hunger within our own neighborhood.  Sharing literature and keeping the donation jar readily available seems (and is) an eazy-beezy way to make a difference.
Neighbors helping Neighbors.

The Goose-Boss

The Goose-Boss

That's right, he (or possibly it's a she?) is the "boss" of the little pond that is adjacent to a Starbucks near my home.
I do not know why I assume he is a he, it's just that he "acts" like a he.  I guess that sounds sexist, so I best explain how I came up when the assumption of the goose's gender.
This pond has several different species of ducks and Starbucks has thoughtfully provided a table to sit and sip in this natural sanctuary.  Of course when you decide to visit the pond the ducks all assume that you will be providing some sort of treat for them to consume.  That might be what your intention is, however, BEFORE any of the ducks are allowed to approach you, The Goose-Boss must check you out first.
This can be a bit disquieting.  Which is just the way The Goose-Boss wants you to be.
Intimidated.
He has teeth you know.  And he can run and chase you.
Fast.
The Goose-Boss just wants to make sure that you only have honorable intentions towards his "flock".  I am not sure what he calls them (the ducks that live there) since he is the only goose at the pond.
Why is it, that I assume that it has to be a male that is so protective of all the waterfowl at the pond?  Females are known for being protective, however, usually that protective instinct is reserved for their own offspring.
This goose acts like he OWNS the pond (and it's inhabitants) and has rightfully taken his somewhat aggressive place of leadership and control.
No duck will be fed unless you have been pre-approved by the Goose-Boss.  He takes his job seriously and is quite good at it really.
Isn't it grand that he has figured out what he needs to be doing in life and is doing it with such honking gusto!

Vision Board

I did it.
I finally made a Vision Board.  
It actually took me several days to select the images from all the magazines I had gathered together.  Sometimes...and it's been more often than not lately, my thoughts and what is appealing to me is not what I would like to look at each day.  The "visions" that creep into my head with the persistence of weeds that are determined to over-run even the most beautiful garden are not the pictures that dreamers have.  They are images of:
Hopelessness.
Mistake.
Bother.
Pain.
Darkness.
So I waited until the dark thoughts passed, and they usually do, and created a board that hopefully will help to make this year one that I can reflect back on with smiles instead of remorse for days gone by wasted in a dark abyss.
Depression is one of those things that most people would rather not talk about.  You can "see" it in a person's eyes if you take the time to ask them how they are doing. When asked how they are most will generally answer "great" or "couldn't be better" but if you look into their eyes and get a glimpse of their soul you can "see" their pain, if it is there. 
Sometimes all it takes to help a person to begin to move out of that pain zone is just a look that lets them know that you understand and if you do happen to encounter someone whose candle is barely flickering...then use your candle to help theirs to burn brighter.
Who knows, there may come a time when a wind might be threatening your light and the person whose candle you re-lit will be able to return the favor in kind.

Here's to a 2012 that is full of light, love and endless possibilities!

Vision Board 2012

December Moments 2011

 It's almost time to bid farewell to 2011. It's actually only hours away! Another year gone past.  For me, it is a time of deep gratitude for what was and as I get ready to hang up a new calendar, it is a time of hopefulness for what can be. I know for the most part, what I paint on the 2012 canvas is in my hands. However, it's the experiences that happen when we aren't too caught up worrying about what we should be painting that create a masterpiece.
I thought I would share my annual holiday letter on this post as well as a few photos of moments that made my heart smile during this past yultide season.

Christmas Morning

25 December 2011
"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold everything is softer and more beautiful." Norma Vincent Peale

Happy Merry Holly-Days to you and yours! Finding time to make time to spend with each other can prove challenging especially when are so many important things to take care of! I find myself hearing all of the usual sentiments of the season. Questions such as, "Are you READY for Christmas?" or "Gee I wish I could stop by/have some tea with you and visit but I have TONS to do before Christmas Day" the list of busy-ness goes on. What if (and this is just a thought) we really DID slow down...and savor the season and each other? Enjoy the moments that add up to create magical memories? Eggnog lattes, freshly baked goodies, the smell of a fresh Christmas tree, beautiful carols, twinkling Christmas lights...and children who still BELIEVE in the wonder of it all. I suspect they (the moments) are there, waiting for us to embrace IF we just allow the time for them to happen. Let's see if I can recollect some of our "moments" of 2011. We have begun our journey to be totally self-employed and living in a little villa by the sea in Italy creating awesome iPhone/iPad apps and interactive children's stories. We released Astoria! Sights to See With Skyler Seagull in May. It is a travel iPhone/iPad/iPod app with a talking seagull named Skyler as tour guide for Astoria, Oregon. Nate also created a Marine VHF app that helps mariners use Marine VHF frequencies. When he is not doing freelance interactive work he is working on one of our many creative projects. I am still seeking a publisher for one of my completed children's books. Would love to have one of my stories printed up the old fashioned way in addition to having it be on an iPad. Santa??Could use a spot of help with that request. We feel totally blessed that Ronnah, Mark, Shiloh, Isabelle and Cameron as well as Jessi, Kyle and Carter will be celebrating Christmas with us. That is the best gift I can think of to find under the tree. Well actually they will not be UNDER the tree, but I'm sure you caught what I was going for. Christmas. It comes once a year.
Enjoy it and your friends and family.
May the coming year surround you with much love, prosperity, good health and magical moments.
Love,
Laura, Nate, Kona the dog and Zoey the Kat

In approximately 4 hours Nate and I are going to head downtown to participate in a "year to year" 1.5 k walk/run.  I've got my jingle wrist bells and kazoo ready!  My nephew Ty just "face-timed" us from Afghanistan.  He was just beginning the New Year on that side of the world. I think it's great that technology actually allowed us to chat "face to face"! Me in Lake Oswego-land and Ty half way around the world in Afghanistan. I only wish that the people who inhabit our wonderful planet could embrace peace and respectful co-habitation as quickly and easily as technology is introduced into different cultures and countries. As John Lennon so eloquently wrote in his song Imagine, "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..."

► 3:55► 3:55

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b7qaSxuZUg
Imagine by John Lennon

I guess that about wraps up this Holly-Day post, other than including a few pictures of some of my make my heart smile moments.

thankful for visit from cousin

picking out poinsetta's at Al's

picking our own CB tree

volunteering at a bookstore

 A Charlie Brown Christmas

stockings hung with care

*stringing popcorn and cranberries at 4 in the morning while watching a I Love Lucy Christmas special   *going out for a fantastic breakfast with friends and family and then attending the Portland Christmas Revels medevial holiday presentation   *eating frosted butter cookies with our afternoon tea   *gift of one man presentation of A Christmas Carol from Nancy the Neighbor  *both daughters and all the grand-munchkins spending Christmas with us  *learning to play "Munchkin" with the munchkins  *opening night of the Festival of Lights at The Grotto  *listening to the music of the season  *"stanza standoff" with granddaughter Isabelle..we learned The Night Before Christmas  *just to name a few....

a gift

our tree

make a wish snowflakes

family :)

baking command center

enjoying the smells (and flowers) of the season

"they don't move"